Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update
– 7 September 2004
Headlines
·
Frank Horton Dies
·
Manufacturing
Challenges
·
Poverty Data
·
Winter Fuels
Briefing
·
Great Lakes Monitoring
·
Great Lakes Water Quality
FRANK HORTON DIES
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Former-Rep. Frank Horton, a founder of the Northeast-Midwest
Congressional Coalition, died on Monday, 30 August, after having suffered a
massive stroke. Rep. Horton also was a member of the Northeast-Midwest
Institute’s Board of Directors, dean of the New York delegation, and
member of Congress from Rochester for 30 years. His humor, good cheer,
and political astuteness will be missed.
Rep. Horton’s burial at Arlington Cemetery will be
on 29 September. A short news report on Frank’s death and life can
be viewed by clicking on WOKR 13
Video Viewer.
MANUFACTURING CHALLENGES
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The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released Advancing U.S.
Manufacturing: Challenges Facing Small Manufacturers. The report
reviews the challenges facing small manufacturers, and it includes information
from a variety of briefings, forums, and reports, particularly those related to
public policy affecting the manufacturing sector. Contact: Diane
DeVaul at the Institute (202/464-4009).
POVERTY DATA
--------------------
The Northeast-Midwest Institute web site now includes state-level data through
2003 for poverty rates (http://www.nemw.org/poverty.htm)
and median household income (http://www.nemw.org/income.htm).
The tables show data for three-year averages, which are the best numbers for
comparing the level for one state to another and for comparing state changes
over time.
WINTER FUELS BRIEFING
-------------------------------
The Energy Information Administration is forecasting that heating costs will
increase again this winter. Compared to average heating costs from 1998 to
2000, expenditures this winter are expected to be 55 percent higher for natural
gas; 45 percent higher for heating oil; and 41 percent higher for
propane. Heating a home with natural gas will cost an average of $1,049
this winter; heating with oil will cost $1,094; and, heating with propane will
cost $1,361. Speaking at the September 10 briefing, which will begin at
10:00 am in 418 Russell Senate Office Building, will be John Felmy, chief
economist and director of the American Petroleum Institute’s Statistics
Department.
GREAT LAKES MONITORING
-----------------------------------
A briefing on Friday, September 10, will focus on integrated monitoring for the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system. Continual assessment of the status
and trends in coastal environments permits identification of things that may
signal changes in the ecosystem as well as to put current trends into an historical
framework. Panelists – representing the Great Lakes Commission,
International Joint Commission, and Great Lakes Shipping Association -- will
explain the need for an integrated monitoring system and how the monitoring
system would operate. The September 10 briefing will begin at 10:00 am in
2318 Rayburn House Office Building.
GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY
---------------------------------------
The International Joint
Commission (IJC) on Tuesday, September 14, will brief the Great Lakes Task
Forces on its 12th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water
Quality. The IJC is release its report to the public the following
day. For the last 24 years, the IJC has reported on the progress being
made towards the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which seeks
to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the
Great Lakes. The September 14 briefing will begin at 3:30 pm in room SC-4
of the U.S. Capitol.